Jesuitical

There has been no shortage of commentary on the life of Pope Benedict XVI since his death on Dec. 31. But one aspect of Benedict’s legacy that many Americans miss is his contributions to Catholic social teaching. John Carr would know.

John is the founder of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University and for 20 years served as director of the Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. John has more than five decades of experience working in the Catholic Church to help promote its public witness to justice. We talk to John about Pope Benedict, the perception of the church and politics as well as his personal and professional experience with the sexual abuse crisis.

As you can probably tell from Ashley’s voice in the interview, we decided to give her vocal cords a rest. So you’ll hear an abbreviated version of the rest of the show. 

What’s on tap

Orange Fanta

Links from the show: 

Pope Benedict’s greatest disconnect from U.S. elites wasn’t about sex. It was over economic justice.

I helped write the bishops’ first document on Catholics and voting. Here’s why I’m voting Biden, not Trump.

Eight lessons to help us move forward from the sex abuse crisis.

Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life

A timeline of Pope Benedict XVI’s life and papacy: From humble beginnings to historic resignation

Pope Benedict XVI, defender of orthodoxy defined by historic resignation, dies at 95

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This week, Ashley and Zac turn over the keys to their listeners. In their first ever mailbag episode, they answer listener-submitted questions on a range of topics, from what it's like being a professional Catholic in a parish, to what theological mystery they struggle with the most and who they cheered for in the World Cup. 

What's on tap?

Rosso di Montalcino, combined with a great story!

Note: This episode was recorded on Dec. 20, 2022. Early access to this episode was available to Patreon supporters. Join the community at: www.patreon.com/americamedia

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Christmas drinks, Christmas carols, Christmas movies–it's the Jesuitical Christmas special! On today's festive episode, Ashley McKinless and Zac Davis are joined by two colleagues, Maggi Van Dorn, the host of America Media's podcast "Hark! The stories behind our favorite Christmas carols" and associate editor Jim McDermott, S.J., to discuss the making of "Hark!", the incredible history of the Ukrainian classic, "Carol of the Bells", and why carols are so meaningful year, after year, after year. They also channel Mr. Grinch and discuss their least favorite carols. Merry Christmas to all!

The story of ‘Carol of the Bells,’ a Christmas classic born in Ukraine

Don't forget to follow Hark! The stories behind our favorite Christmas carols on your podcast app!

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Is there a question you have about the Catholic Mass that you’ve always been too embarrassed to ask? Like: When we say, “Only say the word and my soul shall be healed,”...what’s “the word”? You’re in luck. This week, we’re talking to Father Dave Dwyer, the executive director of Busted Halo, a media outreach of the Paulist Fathers, and the author of the new book Mass Class: Your Questions Answered. Zac and Ashley ask Father Dave their own burning questions about the liturgy, what he would say to Catholics who lost their “Mass habit” during the pandemic and how to make sure Mass etiquette does not get in the way of true reverence.

In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley talk with Carol Zimmerman, who has worked for Catholic News Service for 30 years reporting on education, health care and the Supreme Court. What will the church in the United States lose when the domestic operations of CNS close on Dec. 30?

Finally, it’s your last chance to submit questions for Zac and Ashley mailbag episode! Post your questions on Twitter, Facebook, Patreon or to [email protected] by Monday, Dec. 19.

Links from the show:

U.S. bishops announce Catholic News Service to cease domestic operations at year’s end

Catholic News Service provides vital context that secular media misses. Shutting it down is a mistake.

Mass Class: Your Questions Answered, by Father Dave Dwyer

What’s on tap?

Pick your poison: Paloma or Negroni 

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This week, Ashley and Zac are joined by Matt Maher. Matt is a nine-time-GRAMMY nominee and three-time-GMA Dove Award winning musician. His latest album is “The Stories I Tell Myself.” They talk to Matt about his connection with the hit TV show “The Chosen” and how the events of the past couple of years influenced his new album. They discuss how the pandemic affected his art, why he decided to write songs about racial justice and polarization and they get Matt’s take on the liturgy wars.

During Signs of the Times, the hosts discuss new allegations of sexual abuse against a prominent Jesuit artist. Plus, how should we think about lifting Covid-19 protocols at Mass around the Communion cup and sign of peace?

Links from the show:

Prominent Jesuit artist restricted from ministry after allegations of sexually abusing women religious

U.S. dioceses begin to bring back Communion Cup

Italy's Catholic Church reintroduces handshakes during Mass

Matt Maher's tour dates and the new album, "The Stories I Tell Myself"

What’s on tap?

Thoroughbred Mule

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It’s not every day your colleague gets to interview—and share a laugh with—Pope Francis. So this week we’re talking to Kerry Weber, an executive editor at America, who was one of five America editors who spent two hours speaking with the pope on Nov. 22. We ask Kerry what surprised her most about the Holy Father and what it was like to be a woman asking Francis about women’s ordination, a question considered by many to be off the table, within the walls of the Vatican.

In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the appointment of a Chinese bishop to a diocese not recognized by the Holy See—and the Vatican’s unusually harsh response.

And finally, stick around after the credits for a preview of America Media’s new season of its Advent podcast “Hark! The stories behind our favorite Christmas carols.”

Links from the show:

Exclusive: Pope Francis discusses Ukraine, U.S. bishops and more

Behind the scenes: What it’s like to interview Pope Francis

Vatican statement suggests China violated agreement over appointment of bishops

China vows more ‘friendly consensus’ after unusually harsh Vatican statement

The Catholic Church in China | A Short Documentary

The story of ‘Carol of the Bells,’ a Christmas classic born in Ukraine

What’s on tap?

Champagne 

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Hey everyone! Jesuitical is taking a break for Thanksgiving, but if you’re looking for something new to try, we’d love to suggest “How God Works”, a podcast from PRX. "How God Works” is a rare combination of cutting edge science and ancient wisdom as psychology professor Dave DeSteno helps us grapple with some of life’s biggest questions.

We're delighted to share with you this great episode about gratitude—and why every day should feel like Thanksgiving! If you like it, make sure to follow our friends at “How God Works” on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get podcasts!

Follow "How God Works", wherever you listen to podcasts!

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Have you ever wondered why most Catholics practice their faith in a local parish church? Is it simply to attend Mass and participate in the sacraments? Is it to find a meaningful community? Is it just because their family has always attended there? With the church facing serious demographic challenges across the United States, and amid a rapidly shifting religious culture, the established parish model can no longer be taken for granted.

In this fourth and final discussion on America Media’s new, groundbreaking documentary, “People of God: How Catholic Parish Life is Changing in the United States,” Ashley and Zac, together with Jim McDermott, S.J., and Sebastian Gomes, try to answer the overarching and critical question in the face of the uncertain future of parish life: What’s the point?

Watch “People of God: How Catholic Parish Life is Changing in the United States”

Follow on your podcast app: Hark! The Stories Behind Our Favorite Christmas Carols, an all-new season releasing Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022

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We’ve all been there. You need to buy something random and a bit urgently. You hop in the car and drive to a nearby Walmart, or open your Amazon app and get a next-day delivery through Prime. No doubt that these regular fixtures of our modern economy have brought convenience and expedience to our lives, but what are the tradeoffs that we aren’t considering? Kathryn Judge is the author of Direct: The Rise of the Middleman Economy and the Power of Going to the Source. We talk about how “middlemen” became part of our everyday consumer lives and whether or not the way we shop necessarily lines up with our Catholic values.

In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley talk with Kevin Clarke, America’s chief correspondent, about what happened at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ annual meeting in Baltimore.

Links from the Show: 

What’s on tap? 

Fancy Free (Luxardo liqueur Old Fashioned)

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When the Covid-19 pandemic closed churches, many parishes began streaming Mass for their communities. That opened up a whole new digital world for Catholics near and far searching for great preaching and a meaningful sense of community. Today, as people return to their parish churches, some Catholics want to stay connected to the digital communities they discovered during the pandemic. What does the rise of these remote parishioners mean for a church that is sacramental to its core?

Today, Ashley and Zac welcome Jim McDermott, S.J., and Sebastian Gomes to discuss Part Three of America Media’s new, groundbreaking documentary, “People of God: How Catholic Parish Life is Changing in the United States.”

Watch “People of God: How Catholic Parish Life is Changing in the United States”

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